At Forres Sandle Manor School we believe that true academic education consists of far more than a string of examination results. The programme of study, from Nursery to the end of Year 8, is broad. It is designed to enrich the minds of the children, encouraging them to be flexible, independent thinkers. Nonetheless we accept that examination results are important both in allowing children to move on to the next stage of their schooling and as a means of building pupils' self-confidence.

The Curriculum Policy outlines the broad coverage of subjects planned and organised in order, academically, to bring out the best in every child.

Children at the school do not take SATs tests. We expect children, so far as possible, to stay until the end of year 8, at which point they take Common Entrance or scholarship exams.

For the last nine years, every pupil has moved from FSM to his or her first choice school. We do, however, occasionally have 11+ leavers and we prepare them, too, for their entrance examinations. We work hard to ensure that each child progresses to a senior school which suits them and can nurture their personality and talents; there is no conveyor belt in any direction.

Our 35 leavers from Year 8 in July 2014 went to 14 different schools and this is typical.

The established co-educational boarding schools, such as Canford, Bryanston, King's College Taunton, King’s College, Bruton, Clayesmore, Dauntsey's, Millfield, Warminster, Stowe, Milton Abbey and Marlborough are still firm favourites, as are single sex public schools such as Eton College, St Mary’s Shaftesbury, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Boys and Godolphin. While the majority of families choose boarding options, some day schools feature regularly, such as Hampshire Collegiate.

We are determined to maintain this independent approach to senior schools and, given our geographical situation and boarding status, parents find themselves within striking distance of a considerable range of excellent schools.

As is consistent with bringing on the talent in every child, we have a good record of achieving scholarships in all disciplines.